Artists – Solo Flamenco

Kasandra “La China”

producer, creative director, choreographer, flamenco dancer

Kasandra is one of Canada’s leading flamenco artists well-known for her unrelenting drive to push the artistic envelope. A tirelessly ambitious artistic director and soloist, Kasandra is always hungry for new sources of inspiration and knowledge, constantly pushing her musical and choreographic mastery to its limits. She has been identified as “Vancouver’s flamenco star who has embodied flamenco with her dynamic, precise style” by Flamenco-World magazine.

In high demand as a solo performer, she has performed with international artists such as Sonidos Gitanos, Maria Bermudez, Manuel Gutierrez, Ricardo Lopez, Emilio Ochando,Gaspar Rodriguez and Daniel Jurado. She has also worked extensively with local artists – Flamenco Rosario, Alma de Espana, Flamenco Vivo, Flamenco Alcala – at key venues in the Vancouver flamenco scene such as the Kino Café and the Chai Lounge.

A dedicated and inspiring performer, she has appeared in prestigious events with the Vancouver International Dance Festival, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Flamenco Festival and has performed all over BC.

Known for her explosive spirit, precise rhythmic footwork, grace and personal character, Kasandra’s love of flamenco is contagious as she strives to educate new audiences and bring newcomers to the art form through her dance. Her generous spirit has brought countless devotees and aficionados to the art of Flamenco.

Kasandra “La China” is director of Al Mozaico Flamenco Dance Academy and the professional company, Mozaico Flamenco Dance Theatre with her mentor, Oscar Nieto. Kasandra is the prima bailaora and choreographer for Mozaico Flamenco Dance Theatre. She is the creator and artistic director of successful shows including “Cafe de Chinitas” and “Vinetas del Mozaico”. An honoured recipient of Canada Council for the Arts and British Columbia Arts Council grants, Kasandra has produced shows since 2003.

“Kasandra was a knockout. Resplendent in an orange dress with matching shoes, her hair long and curled, her performance was a triumph of character and form…a note of sunny seduction that left the audience in an uproar. Kasandra was never for a moment less than brilliantly graceful.”– Kaija Pepper, The Sun

Liron Man

(Israel) flamenco guitarist

Born in Israel, Liron Man’s passion for Flamenco led him to Jerez de la Frontera and other cities in Andalucia, Spain where he lived flamenco to the fullest extent possible.

Liron studies the basic traditional Flamenco and composes his own modern interpretation within the flamenco genre. His experience with music from various traditions around the world brings him to create new and innovative combinations.

Liron was the musical producer for Canadian flamenco dancer, Fiona Malena’s Puertas (2013). Here he created a musical fusion of Flamenco with Indian, Jewish, Moorish, and Cuban. He is currently the musical director of Mashregh , where he combined Flamenco with Classical Persian Music.

Gareth Owen

flamenco guitarist

Gareth Owen, Guitarist, is a world-class Flamenco Guitarist based in Victoria, BC who has shared the stage with international flamenco artists Jesus Alvarez, Gaspar Rodriguez, Coral de los Reyes, Miguel Rosendo, Luis de la Tota, Domingo Ortega to name a few. Gareth’s solo albums include Gareth Owen Flamenco Guitar in 2008 and El Cobre with Antonio de Jerez in 2010.

He has played solo concerts at the Calgary International Flamenco Festival, in Victoria at the Alix Golden Hall and St Andrew’s Church, and in concerts presented by the Arts Council of Haida Gwaii. He has performed across Canada including University Theatre in Calgary, the Toronto & Vancouver International Flamenco Festivals. Gareth is the guitarist for Alma de Espana Company and collaborates with his mother, nationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer, Veronica Maguire, and had his beginnings with his father, renown flamenco guitarist, the late Harry Owen.

From 1998 to 2002 he was a member of the choral association “MUSICANOVA” and has toured Denmark, Sweden, Finland, France, and Greece.

His travels brought him to Spain to study Flamenco in Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga, Barcelona, and eventually Madrid. In Madrid he learned more about modern Cajón Flamenco with the great masters José Ruiz “Bandolero”, Rafael Jiménez “el Chispas” and José Antonio Montaña.